But the question of an encounter with transcendence can also show up in very different terms during coaching, as was the case with coach Kelli during a conversation with a client:
“I’m thinking of one woman that thought God was angry at her, and so I made the judgment call in the moment that I have, I want to, help facilitate that healing because if God is an important force in her life, if she thinks he’s angry at her, that’s gonna hold her back in some way. And so we explore that more… it might be a process of forgiveness, or reconciliation, or letting go or whatever.”
Here, we see how coaching can facilitate a spiritual anguish that would have traditionally been disclosed to a clergyperson of some sort, while staying purely in the coaching process.
4.3 Connections and Relationships
Words from this spiritual dimension include a sense of community, connections, relationships, sense of commonality, ecology, morality, ethics, religious traditions, practices, rituals…
Connection and relationships form a multidimensional concept: One can be in relationship with oneself, with others, with the world, the universe, as well as the Transcendent Other. “In most cases, the connections and relationships identified are understood to be the means whereby spirituality is manifested in life. An individual’s relationships with self, others, the cosmos, and god/God are understood to be reflective of and shaped by one’s spirituality” (McCarroll, O’Connor, and Meakes 2005, p. 46).
Coach Chris says he is not religious at all, and not even particularly spiritual. And yet, he draws enormous comfort and coaching wisdom from being part of nature and from a unified ecosystem. In his latest book entitled Easier, he writes about a coach/client relationship:
“Who are you, the Coach asked him again, when you aren’t on your mind?” asked the coach. “When I’m not on my mind, I’m just… I guess I’m just part of the world. Just a guy in the universe.” (The coach) “See, if we are part of something larger than ourselves, part of the universe that has our backs, a lot of things get easier. In contrast, if anything is up to me, I’ll never be done with my work. But it’s not up to me.” (Westfall 2021, p. 41)
The power of the community, connection and relationships can also be found in many group coaching events, retreats and motivational/coaching conferences (Tony Robbins comes to mind).
4.4 Mystery and vital principle
Words from this spiritual dimension include respect and appreciation for the mystery of creation, life force, emotion, the intelligence of life force, vital principle, unifying force, integrative energy, awe, emotion, openness to the marvelous, hope.
